High priority of environmental protection leads to extensive regulation in the EU

Environment

The European Union, and Germany in particular, sees itself as a driving force in international environmental policy. Almost all environmental sectors are regulated by EU legislation. This very extensive regulation covers areas such as water, air, soil and noise pollution, energy consumption, chemical use and waste management.

The high priority placed on environmental protection is illustrated by the current Environmental Action Plan that calls for a minimum of a 20% share of the total EU budget to be devoted to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Companies from all different kind of industries are affected by these regulations. Due to Germany’s ambition to play a leading role in this policy area, companies should focus not only on Brussels, but also on Berlin in order to shape EU environmental legislation.